A trophy for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Golf Team League. Photo from WeChat account "观澜高尔夫"
The highly anticipated 5th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Golf Team League is set to tee off June 11 at Mission Hills Dongguan. The finals are scheduled for Aug. 21-22.
A press conference and group draw ceremony were held May 28. Among the attendees were Han Zhishan, general manager of Mission Hills Golf Club, and captains from top teams, such as the Shenzhen Indigenous Elite Team, along with other distinguished guests.
This year, the league has attracted 35 amateur teams from across China. They will be divided into four groups through a draw to compete in the preliminary rounds.
To streamline the event, the league's duration has been shortened to three months. Group preliminaries will conclude in late June, and quarterfinals will take place in early August. Advancing teams will then vie for the championship from mid-to-late August.
Last year’s defending champion, the Shenzhen Indigenous Elite Team, returns to defend its title, while 16 new teams join the competition this season.
Participants celebrate the launch of the 5th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Golf Team League during the press conference and group draw ceremony May 28. Courtesy of Mission Hills Golf Club
Han expressed enthusiasm about the level of competition, stating, “This year, nearly all of the top amateur teams from the Greater Bay Area are gathering here to compete.”
Highlighting ongoing efforts to enhance the event’s quality, he added, “Holding the finals on the notoriously demanding Norman Course will heighten the competitive thrill and elevate the event’s prestige. We continuously collect feedback to improve the league every year.”
The tournament's three-stage structure comprises preliminary rounds, quarterfinals, and finals. This design aims to balance excitement with fair competition while allowing teams to showcase their abilities.
The preliminary rounds will be held in June and July at the Leadbetter Course at Mission Hills Dongguan. These rounds will feature 18-hole stroke play, with team scores calculated from the top 10 individual performances.
Qualifying teams will advance to the quarterfinals in August, which will be a 36-hole match play event. The finals will be held at the Norman Course, crowning the year's top eight teams.
Mission Hills has long been a pioneer in China’s golf scene. It is dedicated to popularizing the sport and nurturing young talent. The venue hosts some of the country’s most influential amateur golf events, such as the annual Golfathon and the National Amateur Golf Super League.
